‘Brandywine Battlefield Degree 2023’

    

Potomac Lodge 5, FAAM

George Washington wielded this gavel during the cornerstone ceremony

at the U.S. Capitol September 18, 1793.

It’s way too early to focus on an event coming in October, so please feel free to skip this edition of The Magpie Mason, but if you’re the type who plans ahead, maybe you would want to attend the Brandywine Battlefield Degree in Pennsylvania and book your seats now.

Kennett Lodge 475 and brethren from around the Fifth Masonic District will host the fourth annual degree. That will be Saturday, October 7 at 4:30 p.m. at Brandywine Battlefield Park. From the publicity:

Brother George Washington’s gavel, which was used at the cornerstone-laying ceremony of the United States Capitol, will be on display during the event. The gavel is provided courtesy of Potomac Lodge 5 in Washington, DC. Your ticket purchase entitles you to the following:

• opportunity to view and have your picture taken with the Washington gavel
• commemorative color ticket printed on thick stock
• commemorative coin with event details
• barbecue meal prepared on site with side dishes and dessert

The event begins at 4:30 with tours of the Visitor Center and Washington’s Headquarters for an additional cost of $8. Photos with Washington’s gavel will begin at five o’clock, with dinner at six. The Master Mason Degree will be conferred promptly at 7:30. There will be cigars to enjoy at an additional cost, or bring your own. The cost of the event remains at only $40 ($44.52 with fees).

This event is rain or shine and is open to Master Masons only. There will be seating provided.

Buy tickets here.

     

‘Brandywine Battlefield Degree’

      

It’s only a few short weeks until the Brandywine Battlefield Degree in Pennsylvania.

That’s Saturday, October 6. Hosted by Kennett Lodge 475, this conferral of Pennsylvania’s Entered Apprentice Degree will take place at the historic site of the battle between forces commanded by George Washington and William Howe before the latter’s troops seized Philadelphia in 1777.

WM Eric Downs

While the lodge’s officers and ritualists will be attired in period costume, the dress code for everyone else is a casual polo-and-khakis-type combo.

A modest fee of $40 per person is being collected. Use PayPal here.

The dinner menu will be: grilled chicken, mushroom salad, potato salad, pasta salad, cole slaw, corn bread, various desserts, and soft drinks. Cigars and fellowship will round off the evening. (The lodge has acquired several boxes of Hiram and Solomon Entered Apprentice cigars for the occasion.)

I probably will bring a pipe, and a clay at that,
but there will be cigars on hand!

Gather at the site at 4 p.m. for a tour of Washington’s headquarters and the grounds ($8 payable at the visitors center). Dinner will be served at six. The degree will begin at 7:30. This is a rain-or-shine event. Address: 1491 Baltimore Pike in Chadds Ford—about 25 miles southwest of Philly.

There even is a souvenir token awaiting you:

If you are unfamiliar with Pennsylvania Masonic rituals, they are unique in the United States. It’s not that you wouldn’t recognize this EAº, but you would discern many differences from initiations you already know. Pennsylvania lodge officers, especially the Worshipful Masters, make impressive efforts to confer their degrees. Let’s pray for cool weather out of respect for the heavy clothes they will be wearing.

Click to enlarge.